-At the 2025 Golden Image Award
BY: SHALLON S. GONLOR / shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
Several national and international leaders of Liberia, including Nimba County’s Superintendent Kou Meapeh Gono received Liberia’s most prestigious award, Golden Image Award (GIA) at an impressive program marked by pomp and pageantry. Superintendent Kou Meapeh Gono was named the 2025 National Superintendent of the Year.
Supt. Gono received the honor on Wednesday night afternoon — marking her as the first-ever Superintendent in post-war Liberia to win the national title. The award ceremony which took place in Monrovia marks its 15th edition as an official part of Liberia’s 178th July 26 Independence Day anniversary.
Organized by Juli Endee, former Liberian ambassador and partners, the Golden Image Awards (GIA) represents a national pride — promotes peace, unity, reconciliation, and development across Liberia.
The Golden Image Awards (GIA) was founded in 2010, with the first edition held in July 2011 by the Liberia Crusaders for Peace (LCP) — a platform for all Liberians and internationals who are contributing to the growth and development of Liberia. This year’s 15th edition of GIA marks Nimba County’s first prestigious win through Superintendent Kou Meapeh Gono based on leadership and exceptional demonstration — earning her congratulatory messages and inspirations across the county.
Superintendent Gono, known for her exceptional public service, was captured from Nimba County to get involve in the awards ceremonies for-the-first-time over the years. Her dedication to public service and development, and the preservation of traditions and culture has defined her win as public servant.
Established 1964, Nimba Count’s 24th Superintendent Kou Meapeh Gono set the record straight to be accolade the prestigious Golden Image Award for her indefatigable and unwavering contributions to humanity and public service in post-war Liberia.
This year marks sixty-one (61) years since the county was established as one of the 15 counties of the Republic of Liberia. Located in northeastern Liberia, Njmba shares borders with the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire in the East and the Republic of Guinea in the Northwest. Its capital city is Sanniquellie and its most populous city is Ganta — Nimba is the largest of Liberia’s 15 counties with six statutory districts and as well as nine electoral Districts.
As of the 2022 Census, it had a population of 621,841, making it the second most populous county in Liberia.
At Liberia’s 15th Golden Image Award, Nimba’s Superintendent Kou Meapeh Gono emerged as the first-ever Superintendent to receive the Golden Image Award for development — a national honor that celebrates individuals making outstanding contributions to peace, development, and transformation in Liberia and beyond.
Just in a year since her appointment as the 24th Superintendent of Nimba County, Gono has not only shattered glass ceilings as a trailblazing female leader, but has also quickly distinguished herself as a dynamic force for development, setting a new benchmark in public sector leadership. The award was presented in recognition of her bold and inclusive leadership style, her transformative development agenda, and her ability to unite a diverse county behind a shared vision of progress.
From rural infrastructure upgrades and community empowerment initiatives to education support and grassroots engagement, Superintendent Gono’s tenure is already being hailed as one of action, transparency, and results. In his acceptance speech, Supt. Gono expressed gratitude for the recognition. “I am honored to see my county recognized for its recent gains,” she said. In an emotional tribute, she dedicated the award to her late mother, Madam Theresa Yah Gono, describing her as “the hardest-working woman.”
She also acknowledged her father, who stood in her mother’s stead, and expressed heartfelt gratitude to Queen Juli Endee and the organizing committee for the national honor. “I am beyond grateful, humbled, and honored,” Sup Gono said on her office Facebook page.
“This award is not mine alone — it belongs to the Nimba Legislative Caucus, the County Council, women, youth, students, the physically challenged community, religious and business leaders, the media, and all the stakeholders who have supported my journey. You made this possible.”
Under her watch, Nimba County has witnessed a renewed momentum in local governance, transparency, and public service delivery. Her leadership has redefined what is possible when vision meets community-driven governance. As congratulations pour in from across Liberia and the diaspora, one thing is clear- Kou Meapeh Gono’s leadership is not only transforming Nimba, it’s inspiring a new chapter in Liberian governance.
From Nimba to the Nation, the legacy of impact has only just begun. The winning Golden Image Award personality is recognised for her significant contribution to unity and development — made through commitment and perseverance. Since assuming to the superintendent position, Madam Gono transformative development in the community effects real change — helping the underdeveloped county with numerous nature resources, enabling large-scale projects across the county and protecting the future.
This prestigious award adds to her ongoing leadership as Superintendent, where she has been redefining and repositioning the office as a model of effective governance across the country. Superintendent Gono’s GIA trophy is a testament to her leadership abilities — which earned her the respect and confidence in women’s leadership among her fellow superintendents predominantly males in Liberia. Under Superintendent Gono’s stewardship, Nimba County has taken significant strides in governance, development, and community engagement, — positioning her to win this influential award.
Her award is not just a personal achievement but a victory for Nimba County as a whole. This historic award first-ever in Nimba County underscores the trust and admiration Superintendent Gono has garnered within the country — highlighting the growing recognition of Nimba’s pivotal role in the broader political and developmental narrative of Liberia.
As she steps into this new chapter, the people of Nimba, and indeed Liberia, will be looking to Superintendent Gono to continue her exemplary work, now on a national and international stage.
Superintendent Gono currently serves as National Chairperson of the Superintendent Council of Liberia.
She was officially inducted in August 2024.
